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Summer Dinner Party Ideas

Tired of waiting for the warm weather to arrive? Take matters into your own hands, and bring the happiness of summer into your home with a themed indoor dinner!

It's summer dinner party season! Any departure from your normal routine can be exciting and is sure to brighten your spirits. Evoke those dog days and create a themed night to remember with these easy tips:

BREAK OUT YOUR SUMMER BEST

Have a set of dishes or glasses that you reserve for backyard parties? Or maybe a checkered tablecloth or colorful napkins? Well, there’s no rule that says you can only use them when the sun is shining and the temperatures are high. Use your festive serving ware to bring back fond memories of summers past, and get you in the spirit for the blue-sky days to come! Up the ante by using baskets to hold napkins and cutlery, striped paper straws and mason jars to brighten up your beverages, and lemonade dispensers to conjure that picnic feel.

GO FOR A LIGHTER MENU

Ditch meals that are heavy on the carbs (e.g. winter comfort foods), and opt for lighter foods, such as wraps, salads, and fruit. Crisp, refreshing flavors can do wonders to transport you to a sunnier season and will keep you feeling energized. The one exception: Corn on the cob. Sure, it’s a tad high in carbohydrates, but it’s the perfect cookout side dish! For dessert, keep it simple with frozen yogurt or sherbet (the bright colors alone will make you forget about winter!), and use fruit as toppings.

SERVE DINNER ON THE EARLIER SIDE

One important component to any summertime meal: sunlight. While dinners tend to be served later during actual summer, you’ll have to bump this one up a bit to ensure there’s still a bit of daylight left. Try to get the meal going at 6 or 7 p.m. to create a sunny atmosphere, even indoors. Pull the curtains back and eat in the room that gets the most light.

DISPLAY FRESH FLOWERS

Not only do fresh flowers look beautiful, but they also smell like the sunny season. Smell is closely linked to memory, and the scent of your favorite flowers has the power to transport you to those hot July and August days. Place a few small arrangements of fragrant blooms throughout the room, or use for one, fuller centerpiece to anchor the dinner table. Not a flower person? Fresh, outdoorsy smelling candles work, too!

RAISE THE HEAT

Bright, cheerful décor and dishes can only do so much if you’re shivering from the cold temperature. Take your theme to the next level by turning up the thermostat—just for an hour or two. It will help to create a warmer environment, and get you more in the mood for that lighter fare. Space heaters can also do the trick, just be sure to unplug them when you’re done. There’s nothing like a little warmth after months of frigid temperatures!

DRESS THE PART

Now that you’ve increased the heat, you have the perfect opportunity to don your warm weather best. Sundresses, skirts, shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops are perfect attire for this event. The more colorful, the better! Tie your hair back in a ponytail or throw on a straw hat and spritz on your favorite perfume. (Or, dab on a little sunblock for that perfect, vacation scent.)

PLAY FESTIVE TUNES

Make a playlist of your favorite summer songs and play them as background music during dinner. If you’re in a rush or need some suggestions, use a streaming music discovery app and simply plug in search words such as “tropical,” “beach,” “summer,” “Hawaii,” “reggae,” or “island.” Just be sure to keep the tunes upbeat—all the better for jamming out after a couple of light, beachy cocktails.